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Union County Court Records Lookup

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Union County Courts, OH *

Union County Courts, OH

A wide variety of legal concerns that touch residences, businesses, government agencies, and visitors daily are handled by Union County Courts, and the breadth of cases they handle is wide. The Union County Courts are responsible for civil disputes, felony criminal prosecutions, family law disputes, juvenile cases, traffic violation cases, landlord-tenant cases, small claim cases, and probate cases. They also store case records, which interested persons such as members of the public, their attorneys, employees, researchers, and other such people may require for individual and personal business. Knowing the way the locality's court structure operates and where one can find case records helps avoid frustrations and saves time.

How to Access Union County Court Records

How to Access Union County Court Records

Online Access

Individuals can access Union County court records online via the official websites provided by each court. The Union County Clerk of Courts maintains records for the Court of Common Pleas through the Record Search and eFiling page, and the Marysville Municipal Court offers its records online through the Record Search page. Individuals seeking court records should gather accurate information to identify the case before starting the search, such as the filing date, the name of the attorney, the name of the parties involved, and the case number. These case finders will ensure accurate search results and quicken the search process.

Alternative Online Options

Official court websites are a good source for court records. However, certain court websites can sometimes be overwhelming and challenging to navigate. This can happen when users are not sure which court holds the record or are using these systems for the first time. CourtCaseFinder allows searching for public court records by sourcing data from numerous public websites into a simple and easy-to-use database.

In-Person Requests

In-person requests are the best method to access certain court records, such as certified copies and the older ones. This can be done by visiting either the Union County Clerk of Courts or the clerk of Marysville Municipal Court. At the clerk's office, the staff will help with finding:

  • Physical case files
  • Certified copies of court documents
  • Archived documents

To help expedite the search, it is recommended that one bring along case identifiers, such as the case number, the name of the attorney, the names of the parties, or the filing date. These will also ensure the results are accurate.

Archived Records

Most of the older court records are hard to access as they are not covered by an online database and are stored in archives. These older files are sometimes kept on paper or transferred under the watch of the appropriate clerk of court. Individuals who are interested in such records contact the Clerk of Courts to submit a formal request. Some of these records have been transferred to the Union County Records Center & Archives and Ohio History Connection, maintained by the Union County Clerk of Courts.

Overview of the Union County Court System

Overview of the Union County Court System

The judicial county system of Union County functions as part of the unified Ohio Court System, which includes trial courts, appellate courts, and the Supreme Court of Ohio. The Union County trial courts' appeals are mostly reviewed by the Ohio Third District Court of Appeals, which serves Union County among other counties in the state. This decision can be further appealed to the Supreme Court of Ohio.

Union County trial courts consist of two primary courts, which are the Court of Common Pleas and the Marysville Municipal Court. The Court of Common Pleas is divided into General, Domestic Relations, Juvenile, and Probate divisions for administrative purposes. The Marysville Municipal Court is the only municipal court in Union County and handles numerous different kinds of legal issues happening in the county. Its jurisdiction covers misdemeanors, traffic offenses, small claims cases, and other limited civil matters within the city of Marysville. Each court has a clerk of courts who plays a crucial role in the county's court system as they receive filings and maintain court records.

Types of Courts in Union County, Ohio

Common Pleas Court

The Union County Court of Common Pleas is the highest primary trial court in Union County, designated for complex civil, criminal, probate, and family cases. This court has four divisions with specific jurisdictions.

Primary location: Union County Courthouse, Marysville

The jurisdictions of the divisions of the Common Pleas Court include:

  • General Division: Handles cases involving felony criminal prosecutions and civil lawsuits in excess of $15,000.
  • Domestic Relations Division: Handles divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, child custody, parenting time, and child support matters.
  • Juvenile Division: Tackles juvenile delinquency, child abuse, neglect, unruly children, dependency proceedings, and custody matters involving minors.
  • Probate Division: Addresses estate administration, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, adoption, marriage licensing, and mental health proceedings.

Municipal Court

The Marysville Municipal Court is the only municipal court in the County of Union, and it acts as a trial court for minor criminal cases and civil matters. It also provides convenience to citizens to get access to justice for routine daily legal matters.

Primary location: Marysville City Hall in Marysville

The court's jurisdiction covers cases such as:

  • Traffic violations
  • Criminal misdemeanors
  • Preliminary hearing of felony cases
  • Civil cases in which an amount of $15,000 or less is in dispute
  • Small claims where an amount of up to $6,000 is claimed

How to File a Case in Union County

How to File a Case in Union County

Filing a case in Union County requires attention to detail, and filers must follow every step of the procedure. This is important, especially in cases where supporting documents are required. Also, following the filing procedures can help avoid filing mistakes such as missing information or using the wrong court or division.

Step 1: Choose the Correct Court

The first step is to determine the court with authority over the type of case to be filed. In Union County, the Court of Common Pleas handles felony criminal matters, major civil lawsuits, probate matters, juvenile cases, and domestic relations matters through its divisions. On the other hand, Marysville Municipal Court is designed to address a large number of cases in the county, including misdemeanors, traffic violations, and small civil disputes with the amount in controversy up to $15,000. If one chooses the wrong court or division, the case may be delayed due to a court transfer, and one may incur additional court costs.

Step 2: Complete Required Forms

Secondly, filers must acquire and complete the required court forms. Filing forms are accessible via the Common Pleas Forms page and the Marysville Municipal Court Forms page, and some can be downloaded and printed for in-person submissions. They must be completely and correctly filled out to avoid rejection by the clerk. Some filings require supporting documents, like affidavits, contracts, or exhibits, depending on the nature of the case.

Step 3: File the Case

When the documents are ready, they must be filed with the appropriate clerk of courts, that is, the clerk of courts for the Common Pleas Court or Marysville Municipal Court. Case filing is mostly done in person at the clerk's office. However, certain cases, like criminal, family law matters, and civil lawsuits, can be filed electronically through the Union County Record Search and eFiling and the E-Filing portal for cases handled by Marysville Municipal Court. After submission, the clerk reviews the documents, then assigns a number to the case. That case number should be kept safe as it will be used to monitor its progress.

Step 4: Pay Filing Fees

There are filing fees required to be paid when submitting filing documents, which are determined by the type of case and the court for filing. Filers should check the fee schedule to confirm applicable charges for filing their type of case. Those who cannot afford the required court costs can apply for a fee waiver by submitting an affidavit of indigency form and proof of financial hardship to the clerk of courts. The court will then review the application and decide whether they are eligible for a fee waiver or reduction.

Step 5: Serve the Other Party

After the lawsuit has been commenced, the other party should be notified officially. The sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail can carry out service, depending on the situation, as per the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure and local rules. Acceptable proof of service must be filed with the court once it is done. The parties should also keep copies of these documents for reference purposes.

Step 6: Monitor the Case

It is advisable to track the case to be aware of any updates concerning it. One can check for these updates on the case filing, including hearing dates and court orders, through the Record Search page for Marysville Municipal Court and Record Search and eFiling for the Union County Common Pleas Court, or by contacting the clerk of courts. The case number, names of the parties, and attorney information are usually enough to track down the file.

Union County Courthouse Directory

Common Pleas Court

Marysville

Address: 215 West Fifth St., Marysville, OH 43040

Phone:

General and Domestic Relations Divisions: (937) 645-3015

Probate and Juvenile Divisions: (937) 645-3029

Marysville Municipal Court

Marysville

Address:1250 W. 5th Street, Marysville, OH 43040

Phone: (937) 644-9102

Website: Marysville Municipal Court

Legal and Self-Help Resources

People with legal issues in Union County can access a range of legal help services and resources through various organizations and programs. These include:

  • Southeastern Ohio Legal Services (SEOLS) offers free civil legal services across a range of legal areas, such as housing, family, consumer protection, public benefits, and education issues.
  • Ohio Legal Help provides residents with guidance and self-help resources that include legal forms, court information, and interactive tools to help them navigate the state's legal system in relation to a case they are about to file.
  • Union County Bar Association offers referrals to a lawyer for legal services available in the county.
  • Pro Seniors provides help for elderly people who may be in need.
  • Disability Rights Ohio helps people with disabilities get advocacy and legal support.
  • Ohio Domestic Violence Network provides aid to domestic violence survivors in the form of legal advocacy, protection order assistance, and referrals.

FAQs

Are court records public in Union County?

Yes. Most of the court records are available to the public through the online access systems and the Union County Clerk of Courts via in-person requests. However, there are certain records, including family law and juvenile records, that are sealed or restricted to protect privacy. These cases, such as criminal cases committed by minors, adoptions, and child custody matters sealed by the court, are excluded from public access.

Where can I get a certified copy of court documents in Union County?

The clerk who is in charge of the files will issue certified copies of the documents requested. Marysville Municipal Court provides certified court documents needed for cases within its area, while the Union County Clerk of Court issues certified copies for Common Pleas cases. In addition, the requester should be ready to provide the required information in the case and also pay the certification or copying fee before the issuance of the document.

When is it helpful to use a third-party records finder?

A third-party records finder can be utilized if a person doesn't know which court holds a particular record or if they need to look for records across multiple courts without visiting a number of official websites. In such cases, CourtCaseFinder provides a simple point of access to public records gathered from multiple sources.

Can I access juvenile records through an online portal?

Juvenile court records may not be available for public access under certain rules. Authentic and complete juvenile and child-related records are usually considered confidential documents, and only the officials and agencies involved can gain access to such records. One may be required to provide identification and the reason for needing the records to be allowed access.

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